Beat the Bloat

It's summer time, which means it's bikini bottoms, no shirts, and overall less clothing.  The last thing we want to feel is bloated.  Here are some foods to dish and ditch to help you feel (and look) your best!

De-Bloaters:

Asparagus: Is known for its diuretic properties which can help flush out excess water, and waste in your body as well. 

Quick Fix: Lightly brush asparagus with olive oil, add pepper, and garlic to taste.  Grill spears on the barbecue for 5-10 minutes until tender and browning. Remove from grill, add fresh squeezed lemon juice (added bonus of some vitamin C). Enjoy!

Oatmeal: A fantastic (and quick) breakfast!  Full of fiber and great for digestion.  Plus you can add cinnamon and get a double bonus.  Cinnamon is also great for your stomach (gas and bloating), and digestion as well as being noted for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Check out my oatmeal recipe! You can really add anything you like to it though, honey, blueberries, strawberries, nuts, try out different things to see what you enjoy most.

Yogurt:  Yogurt is full of good bacteria that ease stomach problems such as bloating.  Make sure to look for yogurt that has "active cultures" on the label, and watch out for added fruit or other ingredients which can make them full of sugar.  Opt for the plain yogurt and add in fresh fruit or honey.

Watery fruits: Watermelon, musk melon, papaya, plums, etc. are the best for de-bloating the belly.  Plus they taste delicious and will keep you feeling satisfied when a craving hits. 

Yoga: (Of course this was going to make the list) Certain postures such as Seated Spinal Twist, and Triangle are known for aiding in digestion by wringing out your system and massaging your internal organs.  Get twisting ;)

And lets not forget water, water, water and more water.  It might seem odd to drink more water when you feel bloated, however it helps your kidneys flush out extra salt and rid your body of water retention. Aim for 8 cups a day. 

What to avoid:

Added salt: A little salt here and there doesn't hurt.  However processed foods (meats, chinese food, crackers, cookies, frozen foods) eaten on the regular will cause your salt intake to sky rocket and water retention in your body.  In short: a bloated belly. 

Carbonated Drinks:  They contain added sugar or carbs that can cause a bloated belly. Even diet ones have "fizz" that can cause gas to get trapped, leaving you feeling like your going to pop.  Go easy on the soda, beer, and champagne.  

Eating fast:  My grandma always said chew your food 28 times.  Now I think thats  bit much, but there was some logic behind it.  Biting off more then you can chew can cause you to swallow too much air- a major cause of bloating.